Blackcurrants have been praised for their health benefits since the 12th century, and for good reason: every part of the blackcurrant plant is beneficial, its berries of course, its leaves, but also its buds, which have been of particular interest to researchers for about 60 years. Blackcurrant buds are now used in many remedies for their invigorating, antirheumatic, and antihistamine properties. A quintessential Nordic plant, it seems perfectly suited to meet the needs of modern society thanks to its effects on sugar metabolism, the immune system, and inflammation.
Natural cortisone
In the 1960s, Dr. Pol Henry analyzed the blackcurrant bud, used in traditional medicine for generations, to study its active ingredients and better understand its mechanisms of action. He scientifically demonstrated that, with its pronounced anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties, the blackcurrant bud acts like a natural cortisone, making it particularly beneficial as a treatment for exhaustion, physical or nervous weakness, and even sexual dysfunction.
A natural anti-inflammatory
Blackcurrant buds can act on various types of inflammation of all origins (allergic, chemical, infectious, immune-related, etc.), whether chronic or not. Their antioxidant properties and lack of side effects are particularly appealing to people who suffer from:
- inflammations of all kinds
- irritable bowel syndrome
- gastritis
- problem skin
- shooting pains in the head
- of ENT and respiratory infections
- joint pain
A rejuvenating treatment
In 1753, the monk P. Bailly de Montaran already mentioned the benefits of blackcurrant "for looking younger." Nicknamed the elixir of life, it was used at the time for a wide range of ailments and wounds, including the treatment of the plague, and highly valued for its diuretic properties, already praised centuries earlier. Scientific studies now allow us to analyze the active ingredients responsible for these diuretic and anti-inflammatory actions, which enable it to be effective against rheumatism, various types of osteoarthritis, and more generally, for people with sensitive joints, both young and old.
You probably consume it without realizing it.
In addition to its other beneficial properties, blackcurrant bud enhances the potency of the plants it's mixed with. It's therefore a common ingredient in many herbal preparations. Check your usual treatment: if it already contains blackcurrant bud, you may not need to take it as a supplement. However, if you'd like to explore the benefits of gemmotherapy , blackcurrant is an excellent starting point.
How should we take it?
Blackcurrant macerate is taken as a 1- to 3-week course. Start with 5 drops per day in a glass of water between meals and increase the dose to 15 drops per day if necessary. If needed, repeat the 3-week course after a one-week break. You can also mix it with other bud and young shoot macerates, such as fig. In this case, dilute 5 to 7 drops of each macerate per day in a glass of water.
Sources
- Dr. Fernando Pitera di Cima, Professor Marcello Nicolletti, A Concise Guide to Gemmotherapy, Scientific Foundations and Meristemotherapy, Aymiris edition, 2018
